Visa Excempt extension requirements - question

[lyku69]

As a Canadian citizen I am not required to have a Tourist Visa to enter Thailand. (Canada being one of several "Visa Exemption" countries).

The "Visa exemption" is valid for 30 days.

I wish to stay in Thailand for 52 days, and will have an onward ticket for the 52 day of course.

 

My question is: Can I renew a Tourist Visa Exemption from WITHIN Thailand, or do I have to leave Thailand and and then return in order to renew?

 

I did contact the Thai Consulate here in Canada and they indicated, in a very confusing way, that I would need to leave Thailand in order to renew. (I think ...)

Other info that I have received indicated that the info from the Consulate in Canada is out of date - that the renewal can in fact be done within Thailand.

Does anyone have definitive information on this issue?

Being turned away at the airport because I don't have an onward ticket dated within 30 days of arrive would be ... awkward.

 

Any info will be greatly appreciated!

 

Regards,

Kevin

 

 

 

 

[glegolo]

you just make an extension of that excempt for 1.900 baht in fee for 30 new days, no problem...

 

glegolo

[lyku69]

Awesome! Thank you very much 

[elviajero]

1 hour ago, lyku69 said:

My question is: Can I renew a Tourist Visa Exemption from WITHIN Thailand, or do I have to leave Thailand and and then return in order to renew?

You can apply for a 30 day extension of stay (1,900 baht) from the immigration office covering the area you're staying in when you apply.

 

1 hour ago, lyku69 said:

Being turned away at the airport because I don't have an onward ticket dated within 30 days of arrive would be ... awkward.

That is possible, but airlines don't always insist you have an onward flight within 30 days. If they insist you could go online and buy a cheap ticket to a country neighbouring Thailand.

 

Your best option would be to buy a Single Entry Tourist Visa before leaving Canada. That would give you 60 days, you wouldn't have to mess about with an extension of stay, and wouldn't have a problem with the airline.

[lyku69]

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately the closest Thai Consulate to me is too far away to travel to purchased a Visa.

Not too worried about the airline, more about not being allowed into Thailand without an onward flight booked withing the first 30 days.

 

But I think all is well. The consensus seems to be that I can renew within Thailand. If they don't let me enter Thailand without an onward ticket dated within the 30 days, then I will do as you suggest - just go online right at the airport and buy one that is dated within the 30 days.

[ubonjoe]

9 hours ago, lyku69 said:

Unfortunately the closest Thai Consulate to me is too far away to travel to purchased a Visa.

There might be one closer to you than you think. See: http://www.thaiembassy.ca/en/visiting-thailand/visas/obtaining-visa-canada

You can also apply by mail.

[JackThompson]

14 hours ago, lyku69 said:

Thank you for your reply.

Unfortunately the closest Thai Consulate to me is too far away to travel to purchased a Visa.

Not too worried about the airline, more about not being allowed into Thailand without an onward flight booked withing the first 30 days.

 

But I think all is well. The consensus seems to be that I can renew within Thailand. If they don't let me enter Thailand without an onward ticket dated within the 30 days, then I will do as you suggest - just go online right at the airport and buy one that is dated within the 30 days.

If they are looking to deny-entry, they may not let you do a last-minute booking - or they might.  But if you do not have any previous longer-stay / frequent history in Thailand, you are unlikely to be scrutinized upon-entry. 

 

The more likely issue would be boarding the plane without the ticket, and in that case, you could definitely book a ticket then and there - but be sure to arrive extra-early for your flight, to allow for any delays this might cause.

 

Do be aware, entering Visa Exempt does require you already have a ticket headed out of Thailand within 30-days.  These - sometimes called "throw away" tickets - are available inexpensively, if purchased well in-advance, headed to nearby locations such as Kuala Lumpur. 

[lyku69]

Thank you everyone - your help is greatly appreciated!

[persimmon]

On 12/15/2018 at 5:34 AM, JackThompson said:

If they are looking to deny-entry, they may not let you do a last-minute booking - or they might.  But if you do not have any previous longer-stay / frequent history in Thailand, you are unlikely to be scrutinized upon-entry. 

 

The more likely issue would be boarding the plane without the ticket, and in that case, you could definitely book a ticket then and there - but be sure to arrive extra-early for your flight, to allow for any delays this might cause.

 

Do be aware, entering Visa Exempt does require you already have a ticket headed out of Thailand within 30-days.  These - sometimes called "throw away" tickets - are available inexpensively, if purchased well in-advance, headed to nearby locations such as Kuala Lumpur. 

Is this a real requirement , because I v`e never been aaked to show a ticket out ?

[JackThompson]

1 hour ago, persimmon said:

Is this a real requirement , because I v`e never been aaked to show a ticket out ?

Yes.  It is a "real" / published rule to have a ticket leaving-Thailand within 30-days, to qualify for a Visa-Exempt entry.  Some airlines will enforce this prior to allowing boarding the plane. 

 

Upon entering, only those with more frequent and/or longer-stays are likely to be asked to show evidence of this ticket and to also sometimes show 10K Baht worth of cash or travelers-checks (also a published rule).

 

Entering with a Visa is different - no outgoing air-ticket required, but 20K Baht cash is required - though IOs at bad-checkpoints (both Bangkok airports) have sometimes also demanded an outgoing ticket be shown or purchased on-the-spot.

[onera1961]

On 12/14/2018 at 7:34 AM, lyku69 said:

I wish to stay in Thailand for 52 days, and will have an onward ticket for the 52 day of course.

Get a tourist visa. Good for 60-day. No hassle with immigration and air line tickets. And most probably it is cheaper than extension, I think. If you're a perpetual tourist, carry 20K baht (or equivalent) and a return ticket.